After a moment, Hjild exhales in relief. Looking around at the scene, he raises his eyebrows with a congratulatory nod to his new friends.

As the dwarf and the fool address their matters, Hjild's thoughts meander back to Joop. He plops his backpack on the ground and finds a spot up against the wall to lean as he rummages about to see if he can possibly find spare footwear or something that works in a pinch.

They were all still alive, at least for the moment, and some nasty creatures had been slain. Leozaren was pleased, and smiled and nodded to his companions - a rare show of emotion from the elf. But he swiftly turned his attention to their surroundings, to see if the noise had attracted any further unwelcome guests.

Dorn wades into the icy pool to retrieve the jewel-encrusted goblet, pulling it out and marveling at the fine work and intact jewels.

The look of the jewels sparkled in Gyp's eyes then a look of fear overcame him. The fool's hands shook and his words were shaky as he warned the others "it's awake!" he then rushed to exit the cave.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:32, Mon 27 Feb 2023.

Surprised, Faldal looks at the goblet and everywhere around to try to understand what the fool was talking about.

"The sleeping beast! It's awake" the motley dressed fool repeated as he fled.

Dorn quickly packs the goblet and readies his axe as he heads out of the cave.
"Feller's sure worked up! You all coming?"

Faldal flees with the others, not wanting to have a closer look at the beast.

Hearing the alarm, Hjild hurriedly slings his pack over one arm, grabs shield and hammer, and rushes off with the rest of the group!

The party stows the goblet away, gathers themselves and turns to head out of the cave system.  As they reach the cave entrance, only 10 feet away from it, there is a large looming shape across the way, about 20 feet away.  It growls in a strange, unnatural way.  Wort holds up the torch to reveal a large creature, mostly bear, but with an owl's face.  The creature opens its beak and shrieks at you.

Wort immediately throws a javelin in its direction, though it misses and Joop advances and jabs at it with his spear, ineffectually as the beast bats his spear aside.

---

You guys will have initiative since it rolled a 1.  Joop and Wort attacked and missed, your turn.  It starts 20 feet away, 10 feet from the cave mouth.  You are also 10 feet from the cave mouth.  Joop advanced to the cave mouth and thrust with his spear, a reach weapon.

13:36, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 1 using 1d6.  Owl Bear Initiative.
13:37, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 3 using 1d20.  Joop Spear.
13:37, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 10 using 1d20.  Wort Javelin.

Figuring that the party ought to stay together, Faldal follows Joop in the direction of the cave entrance, and strikes the beast as soon as it is in reach.

12:38, Today: Faldal rolled 9,1 using d20,d6.  Mace strike.

Hjild's heart sinks into his stomach as he approaches the scene. "Bigger n'meaner than an ox, this thing looks! Don't provoke'r!"

Hjild halts his retreat as his path reaches those who are in combat with the beast. "Hya! Hya! Git!" Hjild shouts, holding up his shield and clanging his hammer against it while trying to shift the weight of his backpack back onto his shoulder. Positioning himself so as to secure the escape route for the party if possible.

"We should follow your friends out!" he warns his peers.

The sight of the owlbear had Gyp running for the exit. He was not so churlish to abandon his companions including Joop and Wort. The fool ran out of the cave but spun around to loose an arrow at the giant beast. Perhaps it would be enough to deter the creature from following them.

OOC Moving 30’, so Gyp should end his round 20’ outside of the cave. Then fire an arrow back into the cave if the owlbear is near the entrance. Hit AC 0 for 6 damage!

15:36, Today: Gyp Toogood rolled 19,6 using d20,d6 ((19,6)).

Dorn makes his way to the exit. If the owlbear gets in the way, Dorn will have a swipe at it.
12:04, Today: Dorn rolled 3,4 using d20+1,d8+1 ((2,3)).

Round 2 Summary

Correctly fearing the beast's wrath, the group moves to escape the cave.  Gyp's arrow hits the beast, causing it to roar//shriek in rage.  With one claw strike it knocks Leozaren out of the cave; the second misses the lucky Joop; unfortunately, it bites down with its beak on Wort, dealing a fatal blow to the stout man-at-arms.

After swinging at it, Faldal, Dorn and Joop retreat outside as Hjild covers from the cave entrance.

---

Leozaren is outside at 0 HP.  Wort took 8 points of damage.

14:46, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 8 using 1d8.  Damage 3.
14:45, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 6 using 1d8.  Damage 1.
14:45, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 19 using 1d20.  Owlbear 3.
14:45, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 3 using 1d20.  Owlbear 2.
14:45, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 16 using 1d20.  Owlbear 1.

Horrified at seeing what happened to Wort, Faldal at least helps Leozaren get on his feet and flee. Unfortunately, he realizes that he already used his healing scroll earlier today and he doesn't have another one...
This message was last edited by the player at 13:05, Thu 16 Mar 2023.

Dorn shakes his head in sorrow over their fallen comrade and helps carry Leozaren back to town.

"We'll be back," he vows, under his breath.

As the creature killed Wort and cast Leozaren aside Gyp continued to run. His bow in hand he fired a parting shot at the owlbear, determined to make it regret killing his friend.

Hit AC4 for 1 damage.

07:13, Today: Gyp Toogood rolled 15,1 using d20,d6 with rolls of 15,1.  Bow attack.

Fighting the reaction to just stare in horror at the beast's savagery, Hjild begins to back away toward the mouth of the cave with the little composure left in the moment.

Dragging the wounded along, the party evades the owlbear until leaving the defile with the caves.  The beast does not follow beyond the point and you can stop and regroup there.

"Let's get Leozaren back to town for healing. Maybe raise a small army and give that beast a proper whuppin'!"

The loss of Wort had a morose Gyp running for his life. When the owlbear did not give chase the fool slowed down and dropped to his knees, his head in his hands “woe” he called out “alas poor Wort” he looked to his companions and saw too that they had lost heart with such adventures, at least for this day “aye I need a drink” he agreed when Dorn called for them all to return to town.

Faldal nods at Dorn, silently. Seeing Wort fall and carrying Leozaren makes him remember Dynlor dearly. He feels a chill shake through his spin.

When they finally reach town, Dorn ensures that Leozaren has room and board long enough to heal. Once that's arranged, he settles in at the tavern to drink while he plots revenge against the owlbear.

He barely swallows his first mouthful when in rushes a dwarf, a young one, judging from his barely grown-in beard.

"Dorn! Dorn! I found you at last! A message from your father!"

Dorn looks up first in alarm, then in trepidation as he takes the scrollcase from the young dwarf. He gestures at the pitcher of ale for the dwarf to drink while he opens the scrollcase to read its contents. In a heartbeat, the colour drains from his face and his hands tremble.

"I must go home! My poor brother's dead and the goblin hoards threaten to overrun our home. Here, Hjild, take the cup we got from the lake, and get whatever you can for it. I must leave at once!"

Dorn rushes to gather his belongings and heads out with the dwarf pausing just long enough to bade farewell to his compatriots and bid them good luck.

And then he is gone.

Faldal is sad to see his dwarven companion go, only comforted by the thought that there is still a dwarf in the party. "Farewell, friend. We won't forget you!"